Memories

gyrfalcon

from the mid 1980s through the 90s I spent plenty of time in this building as it was used for an elementary school and cafeteria as well as a community center for my local church when I was a young boy. I remember the smells , the floor, the playground, and also remember one time going into the very large utility room as part of a class project, where a bright light was shown on the backdrop, and our silhouettes were traced and we then made that artwork to give to our parents. I don’t have the memory of the giant boiler in that room, but it’s there. I’ll attach pictures to show, it’s been there since the building was built.

I recently got to wonder around this building do to rather sad circumstances. My mother passed away in September and we had a celebration of life for her in that cafeteria.
I remember her showing me how to use the giant table mounted can opener during a summer Bible school camp for kids that she volunteered for , the can opener is still there too. In fact, everything is still there, as it was, in perfect working order, still being used though not with as much frequency. Aside from the emotions of my mom being gone, it made me really think about all the people who were doing work for me and for other kids at the time to help us grow. The lunch ladies, the dead men who put the boiler in, the teachers, and yes, my mother, my dear mother, who have always somewhat taken for granted. And I sit here in my car now on my lunch, break, crying and missing her.

Thank you for reading my very non-technical post. Thank you all for being here.

Erin Holohan Haskell

Thanks for sharing these beautiful memories with us @gyrfalcon. And my condolences on the loss of your mom. I know how hard it is to lose a mom and it sounds like yours was one of a kind. I hope you find comfort in your memories and your loved ones during this difficult time.

Big Ed_4

When a man loses his Mom ,he lost part of him self …

Larry Weingarten

Thanks @gyrfalcon for what you wrote. That took guts. Your Mom taught you well. I lost my Mom years ago, but still keep her close by. She made me and is a big part of who I am. I'd bet it's the same for you. Lessons Moms teach live on through their children. In your way, you keep her going. 🙏❤️

Yours, Larry

Jamie Hall

Thank you, @gyrfalcon . I rarely think about how fortunate I personally am, and my children, and my grandchildren. Yes, we all miss those who have gone before us. But we — my family — are blessed in that the house I care for — Cedric's home — has seen, counting my grandchildren, eight generations of our family, some of whom were born in this house, many of whom were married here, and many of whom died here. Is it haunted? Perhaps, but the memories are precious.

DanHolohan

Beautiful. Thanks.

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

@gyrfalcon That's a wonderful story about your mom showing you how to use the commercial can opener. That would send shivers through me when I first laid eyes on it and then, like you, I would start crying as I miss my mother as well.

gyrfalcon

I appreciate you all. Big thanks to the Holohan family. Dan, my home town is Ireland, Indiana. Although my bloodlines are German from both sides of my family, we always had Irish spirit! It is now part of my tradition , on St Patrick’s day, to listen to your wonderful story “The significance of the fire” while watching the flames jump in my Jotul wood stove and listen to the nearly silent, yet faint and familiar sounds of of the Slant Fin Galaxy Happy kids, fluffy golden retriever, lovely wife, full belly, warm house.